The full-back complained about pain in his lower leg in the aftermath of the pre-season friendly, and sat out of training a day later because of the knock he was later found to be carrying.

The club have since announced on their official website that the injury does not seem to be too serious, but it is unlikely that the 29-year-old will feature in the Catalans' final pre-season game against Dinamo Bucharest on Saturday.

Nevertheless, the Blaugrana are confident that Alves will have recovered from his ankle sprain in time for their Liga opener against Real Sociedad on August 19.

The Brazil international recently returned to full training after a two-month lay-off due to a shoulder injury.